Earn and Learn

In partnership with Southwest Solutions, Focus: HOPE offers free job training in high demand fields to low-income residents in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. The program is open to 18-24 year old minority males, adults who have been chronically unemployed and adults who were formerly incarcerated. Programs include advanced manufacturing, information technology, construction, truck driving and healthcare.
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Money Smarts

As part of the Federal Reserve's Money Smart Week, Focus: HOPE will host a number of financial workshops on April 25, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Individuals and families will be provided with training and resources to prepare for financial independence. Workshops include financial aid, retirement, small business finance, kids' money matters, understanding your credit and auto financing. Refreshments & Giveaways included. Registration recommended. Call 313.494.4923 for more information.
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2015 Heroes for Hope

Our 2nd Annual Heroes for Hope event will be held on May 15, 2015 in the Grand Ballroom of Cobo Hall. Save that date! The first event in 2014 was a tremendous success. It honored U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. and U.S. Senator Carl Levin and raised nearly $450,000 for Focus: HOPE programs. We are planning another exciting event, so stay tuned for details.
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Eleanor’s Walk

Our 40th annual Walk exceeded our expectations! Eleanor’s Walk for Hope brought together thousands of people, and raised more than $310,000 to support our food, education and community programs on a beautiful fall day. This event featured a run and a corporate challenge issued by Magna and won by our presenting sponsor, Plastic Omnium.
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On the road to college

We are excited to welcome the 2015 class of our STEM Bridge program. These talented men and women are preparing for college-level study of engineering or technology. They are advancing their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in preparation for college while earning college credit. In 2015, they will continue their journey to be future STEM professionals by working toward their bachelor degrees at one of our partner universities. Approximately 300 degrees have been awarded through our Center for Advanced Technologies. Look for more to come from this promising group!
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Future skilled worker

Calvin Watkins, a machinist training student, spoke about his experience at Focus: HOPE during Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s press conference to announce the opening of an exciting research institute in Detroit. The new American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute (ALMMII) will research the use of lightweight metals in manufacturing. As new manufacturing technology is put into action, Focus: HOPE will train skilled workers for the new careers. Watkins will graduate this year and begin work as a machinist, with the hope of returning for advanced training when it becomes available.
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Detroit Blight Elimination Task Force

Mayor Mike Duggan and members of the Detroit Blight Elimination Task Force gathered at Focus: HOPE’s Conference Center to release the findings of a comprehensive report on blighted properties and vacant lots in the City of Detroit. The task force says it will cost an estimated $850 million to remove all residential and commercial blight in five years. The findings are called, “Every Neighborhood Has a Future . . . And it Doesn’t Include Blight.”
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It's time to start a new career

We welcome the opportunity to help more talented men and women get jobs. Our job training programs not only transform lives but also stimulate the local economy. Every graduate who gets a job becomes a taxpayer and does not have to depend on social services. It's never too late to start a new career. Call us at 313.494.4300 for details.
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Neighborhood Network participant receives recognition

Participants in the Neighborhood Network program are rewarded for finding their own success. Working with a caring Site Specialist, they set and reach goals to increase their self-sufficiency. Mr. Earnest Green (above) accepted a certificate of recognition from Muriel Murphy, Site Specialist, who he’s worked closely with to achieve variety of goals, including getting a job!
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Diversity is our Strength

Students in our Focus on the Mission program fanned out throughout Detroit recently to take photographs in cultural and ethnic areas. At the end of their busy photo shoot, they gathered for a group photo in Mexicantown taken by Gordon Rodwan, one of the professional photographers who mentor the youths. The students come from suburban and urban high schools for this special diversity and leadership program.
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Generation of Promise

Generation of Promise recently carried out its final program day at the Boll Family YMCA in Downtown Detroit. Student participants debriefed the activities of the past year, created personal action plans stating their commitment to embracing diversity and addressing the needs of their communities, and worked in teams to plan their graduation ceremony. Additionally, students took part in an activity where they were asked to think about a message that they would like to send out to the world based on their GOP experience.
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Champions for Working Families

Our Center for Working Families was honored with the 2013 Detroit Champion of Working Families award presented by LISC and CDAD. Attending the ceremony were: (standing from left), Tahirih Ziebler, executive director of LISC; Pamela Glover, CWF; Bernard Thompson, CWF; Annie Blackmon, CWF; and Sarida Scott, executive director of CDAD; and sitting from left, Shannon Rucker, CWF; Yolanda Crain, manager of the CWF, and Dan Brudzynski, vice president of DTE Energy who presented the award.
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Community and Economic Development

Focus: HOPE's commitment to the neighborhoods around our campus just got bigger. With the launch of our HOPE Village Initiative, Focus: HOPE will lead efforts to make this area a very desirable area to live, work, and raise a family. Our primary efforts will be directed toward supporting the education achievement of children living in our neighborhood.
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Center for Children

At our Center for Children, youngsters exercise their bodies and minds. Each day is filled with new experiences that promote intellectual, physical, emotional and social development. The new climbing wall in the gymnasium is one of the more popular activities for older children. Our Summer Day Camp is so popular that children ask to come back each year.
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Delivering food to seniors

With the truck behind them loaded and ready to go, colleagues from White Cloud Natural Spring Water set off to deliver holiday food boxes to 71 senior citizens in Washtenaw and Oakland counties. Even a major snowstorm didn’t stop the annual delivery in which volunteers picked up and delivered food to more than 1,000 low-income senior citizens throughout the area. Each senior receive their regular delivery of canned and packaged food, along with a box of fresh food with Cornish hens, apples, potatoes and other fixings for a holiday meal.
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Lawyers pack their 50,000th box of food!

The Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers and Catholic Lawyers Society of Detroit reached a milestone May 5 when they packed their 50,000th box of food at our warehouse! The groups have been packing food boxes since 2001 when they asked our late co-founder, Eleanor Josaitis, how they could get involved at Focus: HOPE. We deliver the boxes of food to more than 1,000 homebound seniors each month, so volunteer support in packing the food boxes is vital.
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Food Program

Our food program is designed with the dignity of 42,000 participants in mind. In a setting that resembles a grocery store, participants receive a grocery list, make their food selections, then proceed through a checkout line. Nutritionally-balanced food is provided to senior citizens
through this cost-effective program administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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Ford Volunteers at Center for Children

Ford volunteers met at Focus: HOPE's Center for Children for Ford's Accelerated Action Day to read stories to the children. Pictured from left to right are: Madeline McGee, Lesia Hughes, Bryan Robinson, Richard Adams and Sable Morgan. Madeline, Bryan, Richard and Sable are enrolled in the Information Management and Systems Engineering program pursuing their degree in Information Systems Technology at WSU.
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Glazer’s new playground

New Paradigm Glazer Elementary School has a new playground thanks to the financial and volunteer support provided by Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills. The playground was built by volunteers from the church, University of Michigan, and Focus: HOPE in two days just before school started. The project began with a $45,000 donation – and ended thanks to the hard work of volunteers.
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A new partnership

With a gift of $300,000 to the Eleanor M. Josaitis Fund, a new partnership was formed. Plastic Omnium’s Inergy Automotive Americas President Mark Sullivan presented a check for $300,000 to Focus: HOPE CEO William Jones and to members of Eleanor’s family at the recent WALK. The donation helped Focus: HOPE set a record in fundraising for the WALK—one of Eleanor’s favorite events—and it established a new partnership. The company plans to get involved by hiring graduates, volunteering, and supporting the mission of Focus: HOPE.
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45 year partnership

On April 19, 1968, Focus: HOPE opened its first bank account with National Bank of Detroit. Forty-five years later, officials from NBD’s successor, JP Morgan Chase, came here to celebrate our 45-year partnership. Our CEO William F. Jones, Jr., said he recalled former NBD President Aubrey Lee saying “Father Cunningham was a businessman with a conscience, but needed a banker to keep him in check.” Thanks for 45 years of keeping us on the path toward success!
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Public Service Credit Union

Focus: HOPE is proud to partner with Public Service Credit Union. Visit the Focus: HOPE Branch in the Center for Advanced Technologies at 1400 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit. Phone 734.641.8400 x 2410.
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Your gift to Focus: HOPE will make a difference!

With your help, we can continue the fight against racism and poverty. Together, we will build a community that respects the beauty and dignity of all people.